Casinos in New York return to normal hours

Casinos in New York will begin reverting to normal opening hours from tomorrow (April 7).

US.- Casinos in New York State are starting to revert to normal hours from tomorrow (April 7) after Governor Andrew Cuomo announced an easing of curfew restrictions for leisure and entertainment businesses.

New York state will also lift the curfew for bowling alleys, movie theaters, gyms and pool halls this week. Restaurants and bars must still close by 11pm.

Despite the flexibilisation of hours, capacity will remain restricted at 25 per cent. Other measures that remain in place are the mandatory use of masks and temperature checks.

Empire City Casino in Yonkers will resume opening from 10am until 6am after the lifting of the 11pm curfew. Resorts World Catskills will resume 24-hour operations.

Resorts World Catskills vice president of government affairs and public relations, Meghan Taylor, said: “It’s almost a year and a couple of weeks since we closed our doors completely last year on March 16. To be here on April 5, 2021, returning to full operating hours 24/7 at Resorts World Catskills, is a feat in itself”.

Resorts World reopened under Covid-19 protocols back in September. Now, the company says it is ready to welcome guests around the clock, with safety still a top priority.

Taylor said: “We have plexiglass barriers up at our slot machines and our table games, protecting both our guests and our dealers. Everyone is required to wear a face mask when they enter the facility.”

She said hotel bookings were starting to rise, with guests reserving rooms for extended weekends.

“Are our numbers exactly where they were pre-pandemic? No, but they are very close,” she said. “I think it also helps that we’re seeing a lot more people being vaccinated. People are just feeling more comfortable in general being out there in public.”